Category: Uncategorized

Mark 8:18
Jesus continues and asks his disciples some of the same questions he had asked the unbelieving Jews. He is saying that anyone with eyes and ears was inexcusable if they had missed the facts. The disciples had seen the truth with their own eyes. They had watched as Jesus multiplied the bread. The had seen him do countless miracles. They had heard his teaching and listened as he spoke to each of them on various occasions. They were right there in the middle of everything, so to speak.
He asks them also if they remembered. We often tend to have a very selective memory. We remember what makes sense to us, what fits in our grid. But, the things that we don’t really process fully get pushed out to the edges and forgotten.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for our selective memory and slow understanding! Your truth is wonderful and we are blessed to have it. You have given us all we need for this life, and life to come. You are gracious and loving to us. It is a glory to you that you have done so much for us. Your love matches your holiness. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:17
Jesus really gives us a lot in this verse. The key, though, is to see the progression in the thoughts. The callused heart is where we should begin. Jesus asked the first two parts and throws this to the end to give it emphasis.
So, the first step to the place of understanding that Jesus wanted is the breaking down of a callused heart. A callus is difficult to remedy, and often takes time. This is why Jesus includes a time element in his question. He knew it would take time to break down their hardened hearts, but is emphasizing the fact that he would expect that to be accomplished by now.
After the break down of the callus, perception can begin to develop. This is a wisdom in the person based on lessons from the Source of truth. It will grow as truth pours into the soul. Yet, the disciples had not reached this point.
The final step is the idea of understanding. This means that perception meets reality and begins to piece together truth based on what is known and perceived. This is where spiritual learning and maturity gets started. And, this is where Jesus wanted his disciples to be in thier process of growth.
So, Jesus is not only expressing his disappointment, but also he is outlining the path to progress. Spiritual success is the desire of Christ for each and every one of us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your instruction found in your Word. We can never say that we have not heard the truth. The Bible exposes us to the raw facts of reality. Our understanding of the world as we would naturally perceive it is challenged with a broader, richer picture. May we never settle for man’s suppositions when we can have God’s record. Your wisdom is so valuable! We could never compare it with anything. Your truth brings to us understanding that helps with all that we need ever know. Thank you for your truth! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:16
The word ‘reasoned’ here gives us a picture of what went on in the boat. Rather than just asking Jesus what he meant, the disciples started talking among themselves, trying to figure it out. Of course, they tried to keep the discussion to themselves.
Finally they came to the conclusion that Jesus was rebuking then for not bringing any bread. This is an amazing example of human error. The disciples forgot Jesus knew everything they thought. They forgot that Jesus was fond of using illustrations to teach them. And, they forgot that Jesus could easily make more bread if needed. Yes, that’s a lot of forgetting, but that’s how we are!

Heavenly Father, thank you for your patience with us! We can really forget you are the Almighty. We forget you know everything. We forget that you know us better than we know ourselves. We forget that you love us. But we must remember, for you at worthy to be praised for all of these things. All praise to you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:15
It is amazing how personable Jesus is! Here is the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth really sharing his heart with these men, several of whom were not very educated or spiritual at this point. It says here that he charged them. In other words, this was important to him, and he wanted them to understand that.
Jesus was tempted, as Scripture tells us. He did not enjoy the interchange with the Pharisees, and their hypocrisy upset him. He is instructing them, but this lesson is directly related to what he had just been through with these self-righteous characters.
Leaven is a symbol of sin in the Bible. Jesus is warning the disciples that Herod and the Pharisees were tricky and couldn’t be trusted. They might appear to be honest and earnest, but they were really a pack of wolves.
Jesus is doing this not only to help his followers avoid false doctrine, but also so that they would be able to cope with the emotional struggles connected with the ministry. Dealing with opponents like these can be very draining, as the Lord himself experienced. The apostles, as they would be, must be wary of this type of fatigue in thier ministries.

Heavenly Father, thank you for understanding our needs so well! Thank you for giving us a resource in your Holy Word. Thank you for giving us an example in the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only has he saved our souls by his shed blood on Calvary, but also he has given his ministers an example to follow. We see that we are not to commit ourselves to men, but to you. All men should be liars and you alone should be True as the Scripture says. Our strength must flow from Christ, and He is our Source. All glory belongs to him, and not to man. May we rely on Christ for our strength, and may we praise Him forever! Jesus is our glorious Lord and he leads us on as our Hope. Your blessed Holy Spirit gives us the ability to move on in spite of these fatiguing things in the ministry. You have given us all that we need. May we praise you forever for your glorious wisdom and great kindness! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:14
Why didn’t the disciples have any food? They took up a good amount of leftovers from the feeding of the four thousand. Wouldn’t they have some left? Well, as I have already said, we need not assume that very little time had passed since that feeding. And, more than that, the disciples most likely dispersed the leftover food to those who were preparing to go home on that occasion. As Jesus had said, many of them had traveled far to hear him.
So, the disciples found themselves in the boat with Jesus poorly prepared for future meals. This kind of thing had probably happened before, and would likely happen again. Mark is only telling us about it because of what will follow. The situation itself wasn’t really a big deal, since they could easily buy food once they reached their destination.

Heavenly Father, you understand our needs so much better than we do! Thank you for caring for us even though we try so much to care for ourselves. As you know we tend to worry today about tomorrow. But, tomorrow is in your hand. You know what our future holds. I will trust you, because you have all of my tomorrows in your plan. You are the God of the future, the Lord of the past, and the Master of today. I will praise you for all time, and after time has ceased. Thank you for your Sovereign watchcare! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:13
Do not imagine that Jesus is running away. The passage here makes it sound as if he spent very little time only to leave again. But, what we need to remember is that the trip over the Sea of Galilee was not terribly long. Imagine a long ferry ride, not an extended ocean voyage. Though called a sea, Galilee is not large compared to what we would think of as sea. So, going back and forth is not as big of a deal as it seems to be on the face of it.
It says here that Jesus left them. This may be to say that he left even though they wanted to continue talking to him. This is likely. The minister of God can easily find himself bogged blown reasoning with the unreasonable. Jesus understood this danger and avoided it on more than one occasion.

Heavenly Father, we know you always have a plan for what happens next. Things may not occur the way we want, and opposition is often found barring the way. But, you understand and know our situation, and your will works no matter what occurs. Thank you for guiding us. The leading of the Spirit through your Word is one of the great blessings of life in Christ. Also, I thank you for the gospel of Christ. It is always fresh, and is ready to be proclaimed to each and every person you bring into our lives. We can move forward in faith and not be bogged down by the devil’s counterfeits. It is such a privilege to have this treasure and to be able to share it. Thank you for involving us in the mission to share your good news of love and forgiveness with the world. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:12
I think it is very difficult for us to understand Jesus’ feelings. And why is that? Well, it’s tricky for us to put the whole thing in context because we forget that Jesus is eternal. He was in wilderness after the Exodus. He was the Lord of David and Solomon. He was the One to whom Daniel prayed. There was lifetimes of history through which Jesus had already been with the Jewish people. Indeed, the whole purpose of the ministry of John the Baptist was to prepare the hearts of the people for the Messiah so that he would not immediately judge the nation upon his arrival.
Jesus was upset. Sadness, disappointment, just wrath, all of these were in his heart. Instead of using the Scriptures to identify Jesus as the Messiah, they wanted a show to convince them. Rather than believing the miracles he had performed, they wanted something big, like freedom from the Romans.
He asks them why they wanted a sign because he understood what they should have realized. At that point in Jewish history the response to the Almighty that was being asked for was repentance and humility. Instead, these Jewish leaders felt they were the apex of the Jewish religion. They expected the Messiah to free them from thier enemies and usher them into a glorious age because of their holiness and obedience to the law.
Jesus, on the other hand, was more interested in pointing out their hypocrisy, and their status as the children of those who had slain the prophets in cold blood. He was not at all impressed with their temple, thier traditions, or their knowledge.
Thus, he tells them they would receive no sign. Actually we find in the other gospels that he tells them he would give them the sign of Jonah, the Resurrection. But Mark simply reports that no sign would be given because they were not going to get the sign they were looking for.

Heavenly Father, we so often forget that you have feelings. We get upset when our feelings are hurt, but then act as if you have none at all. Thank you for your patience! You give us just the things we need. We can depend upon you to deliver. We must remember your plan when we pray. We should sincerely desire your will, knowing that you know best. When we launch out into our own plan, we risk missing the great things that you have planned for us. Your way is always best. We want to bring joy to you, not sadness. We want to cheer your heart and please you every step of the way. You are worthy of our every breath in praise to you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:11
Throughout Jewish history they had been very interested in sign miracles. And many had been provided. If Moses and Joshua were not enough, Elijah and Elisha should have been. So, since they had a tendency to quickly forget these significant signs, Jesus finds their requests for a sign quite distasteful and empty.
It says here that they tempted him with this. Was it a temptation to Jesus? Well it didn’t work. But, the devil did likely work through these men to try to tempt Jesus once again. Though the devil left Jesus alone for a time after the temptation victory in the wilderness, he returned to try his luck. Though a very successful gambler, the devil lost a fortune trying to destroy Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to know you as a person, not just as a miracle worker. Though your miracles are real, wonderful, and a great blessing, they are only a part of what you do for us. We can know you and trust you through thick and thin. When the miracles aren’t your chosen way, and the path ahead is dark and difficult, you are no less in control than at any other time. You will keep us safe even when the old devil is gambling over our hearts once again. He wants the glory, but you get it all! Your glory and honor are yours alone. I will sing your praises as long as I have breath. You are worthy! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:10
Dalmanutha was likely on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. Matthew tells us they went to a region near Magdala. So, Dalmanutha was in that area. Why does Mark only refer to it in this way? Different people refer to regions in different ways. Depending upon the geography we are familiar with, we may have totally different names for the same place.
Many may try to use this to question the accuracy of the gospel writers. But what we have to remember is that the Bible has been a guidebook for archeology. Without references to some of these towns, they would likely never have been discovered.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the richness of your Word! You have taken more than a passing interest in us. You are involved in our lives and your goodness fills ours hearts. You are the reason that life has purpose and meaning. You are the reason that there is a right and a wrong. You are worthy of our worship! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:9
So how many people were there? Well, there were about four thousand. That’s stated plainly. So why ask? Matthew says it differently. Matthew chapter fifteen tells us it was four thousand men, not counting women and children. Does that mean Mark is wrong? No. It just reflects how things were counted.
Now, many have said that it’s all due to a tendency in ancient times to value only the males. Patriarchal thinking and bias is what it is blamed on. However, sometimes we just don’t think things through very well. How did the disciples know how many people there were?
We usually say something like Divine inspiration. God has inspired the human authors of Scripture. But, often, he allowed these writers to rely on their own memory. So, the gospel writers were going on what they remembered. How would they know the approximate number of men?
In our gospel accounts we are told the people were organized in groups. So, the disciples would have derived thier numbers from this organization. These people would have been easy to assemble by family groups. The men would be the easiest to count since there would probably only be one or two per group. In this way, the disciples would be likely to know the general number of men, not the women and children. Matthew thinks to mention the others, but Mark just reports the number of which they were relatively certain.

Heavenly Father, please always remind us that your wisdom is so much better than ours. Your Word is a great gift to humanity. Thank you for guiding the human writers. You have protected your Word, and it is perfect. Thank you for this wonderful present! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.